74. The notion of low-cost flights is an advertising ploy & nothing else

Personally, I consider the advertised fare to be the base price, like the base price on a car. Do I want a Porsche (first class seating)? No. Very nice, but unaffordable.

What I need is to check my bags (+$25), to stow my CPAP in the overhead bin (should be free, as it's medically necessary), use the toilet (if they charge for that, add it to the base price) and so on. Be sure to add on the new fees/taxes. THAT's the true cost of your ticket.

I shop around for a good price, to be sure, but I never ever take the base price to be the actual fare. Some marketing agency did surveys that showed that what consumers want above all is Low Fares -- even if they are an illusion.

I wish there were a meaningful Passengers' Bill of Rights, but that's another story.